Real Madrid 3-1 Malaga: Ronaldo and James lift Madrid without Modric and Bale

Injuries plague Madrid as Carlo Ancelotti's men face daunting task in remaining games.

Modric and Bale out, Ronaldo missed penalty and James scored a stunner.

Real Madrid played a game that ended with no benefits for the Blancos' after Luka Modric and Gareth Bale was forced to substitution. 

Victory meant that the tables remained constant after Barcelona overcame Valencia 2-0.

Real Madrid couldn't make a bright start into the game with Gareth Bale injured in the second minute. Substitute Chicharito added something to the game with a teriffic header that tested Kameni's athletic feat.

However, the deadlock was broken when Ramos nodded into the net from a Ronaldo free-kick. The Portugese assisted Ramos in a wonderful freekick, only for the free standing Spaniard to tap home.

Kameni was called into action for the second time. James scored a half volley 22 yards away, only for the Malaga shot-stopper to make a tremendous save.

But the highlight in the first half was when Cristiano Ronaldo nutmegged Sergio Sanchez with a spectacular chop.

Real Madrid missed Luka Modric in the second half and Illara was introduced.

Madrid made a spectacular move then. Ronaldo produced a wonderful backheel pass to Chicharito who returned the ball back to Portugese. Cristiano dribbled down two before passing to James who was fouled inside the penalty area.

However, to add more agony, Ronaldo hit the resulting penalty into the bar. 

The second goal was a genius move from James, Ronaldo and Isco. James played a one-two with Isco and then another with Ronaldo who slid a pass for the Colombian to score a stunning curl shot.

Just minutes later, Pepe watched in agony how Juanmi scored a free header to bring Malaga back into the game.

Ronaldo eagerly waited for his chance and it came in the 92nd minute. Pepe cleared a ball which Chicharito controlled excellently to assist Ronaldo who scored his 50th goal this season with a tap-in.

The last kick of the game produced another clear-cut chance. Isco delivered a ball for Chicharito who passed to James. The Colombian returned the ball for Portugese who failed to score into the free net.

Match Preview: Atletico Madrid - Real Madrid: Los Blancos' look for first win against Rojiblancos'.

 

Carlo Ancelotti will look to get back to winning ways against Diego Simeone.

Cristiano Ronaldo returns tonight after two-match ban.

Real Madrid will look to extend 10 point-lead over La Liga champions in a tough challenge.

Real will miss Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez, both of them picked injuries last match, alongside other centre-back Pepe who was taken off the last time they met. Marcelo will also miss tonight's game due to suspension.

Marcelo picked up his fifth yellow of the season against Sevilla after a foul on Vilito. Although, Marcelo said he didn't touch latter, his appeal was rejected.

Nacho and Coentrao will start alongside Varane and Carvajal. Isco, Bale, Kroos and Khedira or Illara may be the midfield package.

Ronaldo, who has returned from suspension after picking up a red against Cordoba, and Benzema, who is at good form, must be the possible attacking duo. 

Above lineup will be possible only if the formation is 4-4-2. Bale may turn to right wing if the formation is 4-3-3.

Real had lost three and drew five of their meetings this season, resulting in Supper Copa defeat, Copa del Rey exit and La Liga loss in first meeting.

Atletico Madrid host Real Madrid at Vicente Calderon at Saturday, 16:00 CET.   

Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona : Five-star Real punished Barca's defensive errors

RONALDO GOT BETTER OFF MESSI

 

REAL MADRID CAME FROM  BEHIND TO MOVE A POINT SHY OF ARCH-RIVALS.

Carlo Ancelotti's men came back from a Neymar goal to hit back three.

Real Madrid scored three in repeat to Neymar's fourth minute strike that gave the Catalan's an early lead.

But Los Blancos came back with a new spirit when Benzema hit the woodwork in a header of Cristiano Ronaldo's cross. The Frenchman hit the bar for the second time on the rebound.

Real Madrid got another chance from James corner when Ronaldo's header struck at Pique's hand. Unfortunately, the referee didn't notice it.



THE SAVE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

Barcelona nearly made it 2-0 when Messi missed what could have given them an early victory. Luis Suarez tapped in a cross which San Iker Casillas saved from just 8 yards from the goal.

Barcelona just didn't create any more chance in the first period.

Real Madrid was given a penalty when Marcelo's pass touched Pique's hand. Ronaldo scored the resulting penalty which was 16th of the season and 11th consecutive scored game.

Ronaldo's penalty proved to be the first sign of comeback as Madrid threatened Barcelona's defence with a number of counter attacks. Finally Pepe headed Real to the lead when he finished a brilliant header into the net off Kroos corner. The centre back was left unmarked as the Catalan defence appeared to focus on Ramos and Ronaldo.

Madrid scored the last and final goal from the foots of Karim Benzema. Luka Modric cleared Barcelona's corner which Isco pressurized Iniesta to an error. The Barca playmaker passed to Mascherano who couldn't receive it. Isco took the resulting ball and passed to Ronaldo who in turn gave James. The Colombian assisted Benzema with the Frenchman finished neatly.

The win took them one point behind Barca and improved their winning run. 

Real Madrid vs Liverpool FC Post Match Preview

   

Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. ensures Anfield upset before El Clasico.

ANFIELD - Carlo Ancelotti's men cruised to a 3-0 away win against the struggling Reds yesterday night.

Two Karim Benzema goals and Cristiano Ronaldo's wonder strike ensured Real Madrid victory before El Clasico which is to be played on this Saturday.

Real Madrid and Liverpool started the game shakingly with coordination very little between them. The game really came into control when Ronaldo played a one-two with Benzema and passed it to James who flung a chipped-cross for Ronaldo's opener. The Portugese completed a half-volley off James cross which gave Real the lead and Ronaldo his first at Anfield and third goal against Liverpool.

Real Madrid completely had the control of the game though Sterling and Balotelli tried some but all of those were well defended and blocked by Raphael Varane and Pepe.

Real struck another when Toni Kroos whipped in a cross which was met by a wonderful header by Karim Benzema. 

Anfield was further upset when Pepe assisted Benzema from a Toni Kroos corner with five minutes remaining in the first half. The Frenchman scored a clean tap-in what was his second and last goal of the game.

Liverpool's first real threat came when Coutinho hit a cross bar at the end of second half.

The second half was quite balanced as Madrid made sure there were no more injuries as Ronaldo was substituted.

Adam Lallana  was bought on for Balo and Liverpool only manage one threat from a Gerard's long range.

Isco, Modric and James attacked pretty well alongside Benzema who tipped in a beautiful pass to Ronaldo in what was a glorious chance wasted by Portugese to make it 4-0 and equal Raul's 71 goals.

Real Madrid now sit first on the table on 9 points whereas the other teams on 3 points each.

The next game for Los Blancos is the highly anticipated El Clasico on 25-10-14, 18:00 CET.